ONE END
Active Member
As their entire culture revolves around the hunt their social order is based on the number of kills and/or trophies they acquired. Though there is much overlapping between the classes, I have narrowed it down to the following few:
The "Eta"
The untouchables of the Yautja. Mostly they are the lame or the crippled, who are unable (or too cowardly) to join the hunt. Instead, they serve as slaves and do menial jobs for the hunters. They are ridiculed and humiliated on a daily basis by the other Yautja.
The "Unblooded"
The children of the Yautja are trained for their future hunts. Before their first hunt they are considered the "Unblooded," juveniles who have yet to prove themselves. They represent about 40% at any one time.
The "Young Bloods"
These are the recently "blooded" warriors. They are usually reckless and depressingly keen, trying to make a name for themselves. Many of them are proud of their petty trophies, which amuses the more experienced hunters. About 30% of Yautja at any one time is considered a "Young Blood." The Blooding is described below.
The "Blooded"
Though all hunters are considered "Blooded", this usually refers to those who are far from being Young Bloods but not yet an "Ancient" or one of the "Honored." This represents 20% of the Yautja population.
The "Honored"
These hunters are the elite of the Yautja society. Not only have they survived many hunts, they have gathered many more trophies than the average hunter or have performed a great service to the entire Yautja community. They comprise approximately 10% of the populace.
The "Ancients"
The mightiest of the Yautja are the veterans known as the "Ancients." Almost all had been one of the "Honored" and continued to survive for centuries of hunts. Ironically, these are the least concerned by the hunt anymore, focusing their attention to their arthritis instead. They are still great warriors; they just have too many trophies to care anymore. As a result, they are more compassionate and disciplined than most other Yautja. Many have learned new fighting techniques over the ages. For example, one "Ancient" who had hunted in 16th century Japan learned "Hira Baraki," or two sworded combat, and continues to use it today, and has two custom swords. These represent less than 1% of the entire population.
The "Bad Bloods"
The criminal caste. These are usually serious nutcases even when compared to your average Yautja. Many have committed crimes such as: murder of another Yautja, killing prey that is not game or failing in the hunt. These are constantly being tracked by the "Arbitrators." About 5% of all Yautja are "Bad Bloods," and in the above castes the number of these criminals have been added to the total amount.
The Blooding (or Rite of Passage)
This is the graduation of the Yautja. It always take place on the first hunt of the young Unblooded. About a dozen Unblooded goes with a veteran, usually one of the Honored, onto the hunting grounds for the first time. Depending on the difficulty of the hunt the young are given a certain standing in the community. On a difficult hunt failure usually means death, either at the hands of the prey or by suicide; many consider death more honorable than in failure in a hunt. Should the hunters succeed, they are marked on their foreheads as one of the Blooded. Each Clan has a different insignia for the mark of the Blooded; usually they are symbols for ferocity or courage. It has been known that at least a half dozen humans have been blooded. This is looked down on most of the Yautja community, and a hunter who "bloods" a human may be considered a "Bad Blood." Some of the Ancients who respect their human foes have approved of this action, and so far the "blooding" of humans is only considered eccentric, and not criminal. Some of the Yautja have special laser scalpels for the Blooded insignias, but blooding with acidic blood and other means of permanent marking is also common.
The Yautjas' code of law/honor
Though there are many more ordinances than what we have here, the basic laws are as follows:
1. Hunting Worthy Game:
When hunting, the Predator must be sure that his prey is considered game, and legit to kill. Sometimes the hunter will equal the odds (not using the shoulder cannon or some other weapon). Worthy game must fill the following criteria: Can defend itself and/or is able to kill the hunter himself, of age (killing children is considered the height of bad manners,) not linked to other lives (so that removing the prey will not doom another, e.g. pregnant women) and unwilling to be hunted (what honor in killing one who wants to die?)
2. Failing in the Hunt:
If the Predator fails in his hunt he usually takes his own life, preferring to die than to live in shame. However, some cowards prefer to live in obscurity rather than die. This is considered to be dishonorable and suicide is then "assisted" by an Arbitrator.
3. Claiming the Kill of Another Hunter:
To take the trophy of another Yautja, living or dead, is considered to be a great insult. For example, two Unblooded go on their first hunt. One Yautja takes on an alien and both are mortally wounded. While the wounded hunter is dying, the other hunter conveniently finishes off the alien and claims the kill as his own, abandoning the wounded Yautja. This is the most embarrassing crime, and the hardest to prove.
4. Murder of Another Yautja:
To kill another Yautja intentionally. This excludes self defense and killing a foe in a wrestling match to settle a dispute (see below.) This is the worst crime.
Most of these crimes are obvious, and are dealt with by an Arbitrator. However, sometimes when each party is accusing the other, the case is resolved by a wrestling match. Usually this is only to the knock out or off ring, but in the case of one side accusing the other of claiming the kill of another, it is to the death. The most common reasons for a match is as follows, with the first as the most common: Right to hunt, right for hunting grounds, to settle a petty dispute, to reclaim honor, claiming the kill of another.
However, for the most obvious or heinous crimes an Arbitrator is called in. He represents judge, jury and executioner. They are usually an Honored one who has shown justified rulings before, and there is no appeal for his decisions. There are a few subtle differences between the normal hunter and the Arbitrator
The "Eta"
The untouchables of the Yautja. Mostly they are the lame or the crippled, who are unable (or too cowardly) to join the hunt. Instead, they serve as slaves and do menial jobs for the hunters. They are ridiculed and humiliated on a daily basis by the other Yautja.
The "Unblooded"
The children of the Yautja are trained for their future hunts. Before their first hunt they are considered the "Unblooded," juveniles who have yet to prove themselves. They represent about 40% at any one time.
The "Young Bloods"
These are the recently "blooded" warriors. They are usually reckless and depressingly keen, trying to make a name for themselves. Many of them are proud of their petty trophies, which amuses the more experienced hunters. About 30% of Yautja at any one time is considered a "Young Blood." The Blooding is described below.
The "Blooded"
Though all hunters are considered "Blooded", this usually refers to those who are far from being Young Bloods but not yet an "Ancient" or one of the "Honored." This represents 20% of the Yautja population.
The "Honored"
These hunters are the elite of the Yautja society. Not only have they survived many hunts, they have gathered many more trophies than the average hunter or have performed a great service to the entire Yautja community. They comprise approximately 10% of the populace.
The "Ancients"
The mightiest of the Yautja are the veterans known as the "Ancients." Almost all had been one of the "Honored" and continued to survive for centuries of hunts. Ironically, these are the least concerned by the hunt anymore, focusing their attention to their arthritis instead. They are still great warriors; they just have too many trophies to care anymore. As a result, they are more compassionate and disciplined than most other Yautja. Many have learned new fighting techniques over the ages. For example, one "Ancient" who had hunted in 16th century Japan learned "Hira Baraki," or two sworded combat, and continues to use it today, and has two custom swords. These represent less than 1% of the entire population.
The "Bad Bloods"
The criminal caste. These are usually serious nutcases even when compared to your average Yautja. Many have committed crimes such as: murder of another Yautja, killing prey that is not game or failing in the hunt. These are constantly being tracked by the "Arbitrators." About 5% of all Yautja are "Bad Bloods," and in the above castes the number of these criminals have been added to the total amount.
The Blooding (or Rite of Passage)
This is the graduation of the Yautja. It always take place on the first hunt of the young Unblooded. About a dozen Unblooded goes with a veteran, usually one of the Honored, onto the hunting grounds for the first time. Depending on the difficulty of the hunt the young are given a certain standing in the community. On a difficult hunt failure usually means death, either at the hands of the prey or by suicide; many consider death more honorable than in failure in a hunt. Should the hunters succeed, they are marked on their foreheads as one of the Blooded. Each Clan has a different insignia for the mark of the Blooded; usually they are symbols for ferocity or courage. It has been known that at least a half dozen humans have been blooded. This is looked down on most of the Yautja community, and a hunter who "bloods" a human may be considered a "Bad Blood." Some of the Ancients who respect their human foes have approved of this action, and so far the "blooding" of humans is only considered eccentric, and not criminal. Some of the Yautja have special laser scalpels for the Blooded insignias, but blooding with acidic blood and other means of permanent marking is also common.
The Yautjas' code of law/honor
Though there are many more ordinances than what we have here, the basic laws are as follows:
1. Hunting Worthy Game:
When hunting, the Predator must be sure that his prey is considered game, and legit to kill. Sometimes the hunter will equal the odds (not using the shoulder cannon or some other weapon). Worthy game must fill the following criteria: Can defend itself and/or is able to kill the hunter himself, of age (killing children is considered the height of bad manners,) not linked to other lives (so that removing the prey will not doom another, e.g. pregnant women) and unwilling to be hunted (what honor in killing one who wants to die?)
2. Failing in the Hunt:
If the Predator fails in his hunt he usually takes his own life, preferring to die than to live in shame. However, some cowards prefer to live in obscurity rather than die. This is considered to be dishonorable and suicide is then "assisted" by an Arbitrator.
3. Claiming the Kill of Another Hunter:
To take the trophy of another Yautja, living or dead, is considered to be a great insult. For example, two Unblooded go on their first hunt. One Yautja takes on an alien and both are mortally wounded. While the wounded hunter is dying, the other hunter conveniently finishes off the alien and claims the kill as his own, abandoning the wounded Yautja. This is the most embarrassing crime, and the hardest to prove.
4. Murder of Another Yautja:
To kill another Yautja intentionally. This excludes self defense and killing a foe in a wrestling match to settle a dispute (see below.) This is the worst crime.
Most of these crimes are obvious, and are dealt with by an Arbitrator. However, sometimes when each party is accusing the other, the case is resolved by a wrestling match. Usually this is only to the knock out or off ring, but in the case of one side accusing the other of claiming the kill of another, it is to the death. The most common reasons for a match is as follows, with the first as the most common: Right to hunt, right for hunting grounds, to settle a petty dispute, to reclaim honor, claiming the kill of another.
However, for the most obvious or heinous crimes an Arbitrator is called in. He represents judge, jury and executioner. They are usually an Honored one who has shown justified rulings before, and there is no appeal for his decisions. There are a few subtle differences between the normal hunter and the Arbitrator
im sure we could argue all day and never win, thats why i love the pred so much, there's still a certain mystique about them for me.
